Early Childhood Indicators of Progress: Minnesota’s Early Learning Standards

Domain: Language and Literacy Development

The emphasis of this domain is on acquiring language and literacy for a variety of purposes. During the preschool period, children are learning to use language to communicate needs, interact socially with others, and share ideas, thoughts, and feelings. They are increasing both their spoken and written language abilities. Included within the domain Language and Literacy Development are the components Listening, Speaking, Emergent Reading, and Emergent Writing.

Children show progress in Listening when they:

1. Understand non-verbal and verbal cues

2. Listen with understanding to stories, directions, and conversations

3. Follow directions that involve a two or three-step sequence of actions

4. Listen to and recognize different sounds in rhymes and familiar words